She and her team have now teamed up with Foreign Policy to create maps of some of that data, showing, for example, the high rate of discrepancy in education in Afghanistan, or the almost complete lack of women in government in China.

Countries in Africa and the Middle East are shown to be particularly challenging places for women, for both political and cultural reasons. While initiatives have been put into place to help these areas empower the female population, WomanStats Project's data shows there is still quite a way to go.

SEE: Maps of the world showing the various problems affecting women. Text continues below:

Of note: The countries in which women lack physical security -- which is defined as fewer laws against domestic violence, rape, and marital rape, their enforcement, the taboos or norms about reporting the crimes and existence of 'honour killings' -- include Cambodia, Morocco and Peru, among many others in Africa and the Middle East.

Of note: Maternal mortality rate is linked with the general health of a society, as a lower rate positively affects families and economy. The countries that have more than 300 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births include almost all of central Africa, Pakistan and Bolivia.

Discrepancy In Education

Of note: The countries in which there is a greater than 20 per cent difference between male and female education, as well 'significant' legal and cultural restrictions to it, include Afghanistan, Somalia and Haiti.

Of note: The countries in which 0 to 10 per cent of parliament is composed of women include China, Japan and Brazil (despite their female president). A 2010 study by Deloitte emphasized the importance of women in government in order to foster equality. They found that a critical mass of one-third of women in government can help societies move beyond 'gender-centric issues.'